Building-integrated solar market to quadruple in five years | SmartPlanet

Building-integrated solar market to quadruple in five years

An emerging market for solar cells integrated into rooftops, windows and other building facades is poised to quadruple in value in the next five years, according to a report from Pike Research.

The annual value of the so-called BIPV market will grow from $606 million in 2012 to more than $2.4 billion in 2017, according to the study. If Pike Research’s forecast pans out, it could provide the building and solar panel industries–both of which have suffered over the past year–with a new revenue stream.

The total capacity of BIPV systems worldwide will grow from just over 400 megawatts in 2012 to 2,250 MW in 2017, a more than five-fold increase, said Pike Research.